ASI ASI Human Factors & Crew Resource Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym HFACS stand for in aviation safety investigations?
- Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (Correct answer)
- High Frequency Accident Causation Study
- Human Flight Accident Control System
- Hazard Factor Assessment and Classification Standard
Correct answer: Human Factors Analysis and Classification System
HFACS is an FAA-adopted tool that breaks down human error in aviation accidents into a hierarchical classification system.
Question 2: Which cognitive bias describes a pilot's tendency to continue a planned course of action despite cues indicating they should change?
- Situational awareness
- Plan continuation bias (Correct answer)
- Automation complacency
- Spatial disorientation
Correct answer: Plan continuation bias
Plan continuation bias leads pilots to press on with original plans despite emerging evidence that a course change is warranted.
Question 3: What is the primary physiological cause of spatial disorientation in flight?
- Vision impairment from cockpit lighting
- Vestibular system limitations in detecting sustained turns (Correct answer)
- Hypoxia-induced confusion
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
Correct answer: Vestibular system limitations in detecting sustained turns
The semicircular canals of the inner ear cannot detect constant-rate turns, leading to false motion sensations when visual references are absent.
Question 4: Under FAR Part 117, what is the minimum rest period required before a flight duty period for Part 121 operations?
- 8 consecutive hours
- 10 consecutive hours (Correct answer)
- 12 consecutive hours
- 14 consecutive hours
Correct answer: 10 consecutive hours
FAR Part 117.25 mandates a minimum 10-hour rest period prior to any flight duty period for Part 121 air carrier operations.
Question 5: What term describes the gradual acceptance of hazardous conditions as normal after they are repeatedly encountered without incident?
- Risk tolerance elevation
- Normalization of deviance (Correct answer)
- Hazard habituation
- Safety drift syndrome
Correct answer: Normalization of deviance
Normalization of deviance occurs when repeated deviations from safe practices go unchallenged and become accepted as the standard.
Question 6: Which cognitive bias causes pilots to favor information that supports their existing assessment while discounting contradictory evidence?
- Anchoring bias
- Confirmation bias (Correct answer)
- Framing effect
- Availability heuristic
Correct answer: Confirmation bias
Confirmation bias leads pilots to selectively process information that confirms their current plan, increasing risk during deteriorating conditions.
ASI ASI Human Factors & Crew Resource Management 1
What does the acronym HFACS stand for in aviation safety investigations?